YOUR VET
Keeping your pet safe from ticks Tick toxicity in pets can cause paralysis and death, usually within 3-5 days, so it’s vital to know what signs to look out for.
Words by
D r Gretta Howard Veterinarian I Twitter: @DrGrettaVet
Bravecto has also recently released a spot-on liquid for cats (which lasts 3 months) and dogs (which lasts 6 months). In addition to an isoxazaline, which requires the tick to bite the pet before it dies, I would also recommend a tick repellent product to prevent ticks from attaching: • Seresto collar (repels ticks for 4 months in dogs and cats*) • Scalibor collar (repels ticks for 3 months in dogs only) • Advantix spot-on (repels ticks for 2 weeks in dogs only) * For cats, the Seresto collar is currently only licensed for flea prevention, but the company is in the process of obtaining registration for tick prevention too.
Tick toxicity occurs when the paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) attaches to your dog or cat to feed. While they are feeding, the tick injects a poison. Approximately 5% of pets will die – so it is vital to know what signs to look out for and to have proven preventatives on board.
Products that claim to prevent ticks through ultrasonic means are misleading – they will not protect your pet.
Tick paralysis is found along the east coast of Australia and up to 20km inland. The natural hosts for this deadly parasite are possums and bandicoots. Since possums and bandicoots are widespread within suburbia, it is vital that your pet has tick preventative applied all year round.
Clipping
The lifecycle of the paralysis tick is approximately 12 months, with the adults being most active in the warmer months (spring/ summer). However, pets can be poisoned at any time, so it is a good idea to have tick prevention on board all year round.
Set an alarm on your phone or write in your diary when your pet is due for their tick prevention, as a few days late may be too late!
Clipping pets with long hair can be life-saving in tick season, as it isn’t possible to find all the ticks on your pet if there is a long or thick coat present. Many owners routinely clip their pet’s coat in the spring and summer. It is particularly important to keep the hair around the face and muzzle short as this is where the majority of ticks attach.
Searching A daily search for ticks on your pet should be part of the health care routine, regardless of whether they are on a preventative product, as occasionally tick toxicity can still occur. This may be because the pet vomited the medication before it was properly absorbed. It takes approximately 15 mins to do a thorough search and this gives you three chances to find a tick before tick toxicity occurs. This is much easier if your pet has been clipped - start with the face, head, neck and shoulders, which is where 70% of ticks attach.
If you find a tick, remove it immediately either with a tick twister, or with a twist and pull action using your thumb and forefinger. Do not kill the tick first!
What are the early signs of tick toxicity? Pets may show some or all of the following signs, which usually occur within 3 days of tick attachment: • Vomiting (mainly dogs) • A change in the meow or bark (due to laryngeal paralysis) • Incoordination • Difficulty breathing • Paralysis
PROFESSIONAL GROOMING FOR CATS AND DOGS
If your pet shows some of these signs or you are suspicious of a tick, take them to the vet immediately, even if it means going to an afterhours emergency centre. The earlier the tick is located, removed and treatment is started, the better the prognosis.
Preventative products In the last couple of years, a new group of tick preventatives have been released into the market resulting in a dramatic reduction in tick toxicity seen by vets. These are known as isoxazaline preventatives: • Simparica (monthly oral chew tablet for dogs) • Nexgard (monthly oral chew tablet for dogs) • Bravecto (quarterly oral chew tablet for dogs) 24 TVO NOVEMBER 2018
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